JPH05108522A - Adapter for compact portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use all the equipments such a card reader, etc., without being interrupted in the case of a transaction and to prevent the portability of a terminal from being damaged concerning the adapter for the portable and compact terminal. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with a charging output connector 14 to connect a charging input connector 12 of a handy terminal (compact portable terminal) 10, charging power supply part 16 to supply a charging current from the charging output connector 14 to a charging input connector 12, magnetic card reader (data recording medium access part) 19 to access a magnetic card (data recording medium) 18, RS-232C connector (communication connector) 24 to connect a printer 20 for slip output or a host computer 22, scanner connector 28 to connect the compact portable terminal 10 and a common bar code reader 26, optical communication connector 32 to be photocoupled with an optical communication connector 30, interface changeover switch (switching part) 34 to connected any one of the data recording medium access part 18, communication connector 24 and scanner connector 28, and main control part (switching control part) 36 to control the switching part 34.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable and small terminal (handy terminal) adapter.

This type of terminal is widely used for business such as order reception, inventory management, and public relations, and by setting it in the adapter, charging of a battery built in the terminal and communication with a host computer are performed.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art When a small portable terminal is used for business of inventory management, a bar code reader is connected (a bar code reader is also provided), and the product code is a bar code reader. The number of products is input by operating the terminal.

At this time, the terminal is operating as a battery, and when the input of the code and the number of products is completed, the terminal is set in the adapter, and the battery built in the terminal is started to be charged.

Further, since the data input to the terminal is uploaded to the host computer, it becomes possible to easily and promptly replenish and place an order for merchandise, and accurately and without error.

This terminal is also used when transactions are carried out at the age of a large store. At the time of the transaction, copy printing of single slips, reading of credit cards, bar codes, etc. Therefore, a terminal with a printer and a card reader type terminal are prepared, and a bar code reader is connected to them.

During the transaction, input data from the terminal operation, card reader, and bar code reader are accumulated in the terminal, and these data are uploaded to the host computer via the adapter or directly from the terminal. It

By adopting the above operation form, it becomes possible to efficiently perform many transactions at the same time in a limited space of the sales floor.

[0009]

However, a terminal with a printer having a built-in card reader is large and the weight thereof is considerable, and in many cases, it becomes difficult to carry the terminal to the sales floor. Portability is significantly impaired.

Further, since the battery of the power source is consumed by using the card reader or the printer, it is impossible to operate for a long time, and it is often necessary to interrupt the work and replace or charge the power source battery.

Since a terminal with a printer having a built-in card reader cannot be provided with an interface for connecting a bar code reader because of the arrangement space and the nature of the terminal, the terminal with a built-in card reader or the terminal with a printer cannot be used. Used with the cords connected.

For this reason, in the case of a terminal with a printer, the transaction of credit is impossible and the transaction is limited to only cash, and in the case of a terminal with a built-in card reader, it is impossible to print a slip and the slip Is issued by hand.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a card reader,
It is to provide an adapter that can use all printers and bar code readers and that does not impair the portability of the terminal.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the adapter of the small portable terminal according to the present invention is constructed as shown in FIG.

In the figure, the adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a charging output connector 14 to which a charging input connector 12 of a small portable terminal 10 is connected, and a charging current obtained from an AC power supply from the charging output connector 14 to a small portable terminal. A charging power supply unit 16 that supplies the charging input connector 12 of the terminal 10, a data recording medium access unit 19 that accesses the data recording medium 18, and a communication connector 24 to which any of the slip output printer 20 and the host computer 22 is connected. When,
The scanner connector 28 to which the bar code reader 26 common to the small mobile terminal 10 is connected, the optical communication connector 32 optically coupled to the optical communication connector 30 provided in the small mobile terminal 10, the data recording medium access unit 18, and communication. A switching unit 34 for connecting either the connector 24 or the scanner connector 28 to the optical communication connector 32, and the optical communication connector 32.
And a switching control unit 36 that controls the switching unit 34 in accordance with a command received via.

The adapter according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a charging output connector 14 to which the charging input connector 12 of the small portable terminal 10 is connected, and a charging current obtained from an AC power supply from the charging output connector 14 to the small portable terminal 10. Charging power supply unit 16 that supplies the charging input connector 12 and a data recording medium access unit 19 that accesses the data recording medium 18.
And a slip output printer 20 and a host computer 22
Any one of which is connected, a scanner connector 28 to which a barcode reader 26 common to the small mobile terminal 10 is connected, and an optical communication that optically couples with an optical communication connector 30 provided in the small mobile terminal 10. Connector 32
And a connection partner setting unit 38 for performing a setting operation for designating a partner to be switched and connected to the small mobile terminal 10, and a command received from the optical communication connector 32 when the connection partner is not designated by the connection partner setting unit 38. And a switching control unit 36 for forcibly connecting the designated data recording medium access unit 18, the communication connector 24 or the scanner connector 28, and the optical communication connector 30 to the switching unit 34 when the switching unit 34 is controlled according to the following. , Are provided.

[0017]

[Function] When used for inventory management, the terminal 1
Only a barcode reader is connected to 0, and the terminal 10 is battery operated and is carried and used.

When used for a transaction in the sales floor, the terminal 10 is set in an adapter and used in a stationary state, and continuously operates by receiving power supply from the adapter.

Since the data recording medium access unit 19 is built in the adapter and the communication connector 24 and the scanner connector 28 are provided, the data recording medium 18 (credit card etc.) is accessed and the slip is printed by the printer 2.
It is possible to print with 0 and read the barcode of the product with the barcode reader 26.

At this time, the terminal 10 is connected to any one of the data recording medium access unit 19, the printer 20, and the bar code reader 26, and the connection switching is performed according to the instruction of the terminal 10 inside the adapter.

However, when the setting for instructing the other party of the switching connection is set in the connection other party setting section 38, the terminal 10
The connection partner of is fixed to the one specified by this setting according to the use of the terminal 10.

Since the communication with the host computer 22 is performed after the transaction is completed, the connector of the printer 20 is replaced with the connector of the communication line of the host computer 22.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a small portable terminal adapter according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of the embodiment,
When the handy terminal 10 is set in the adapter 40, the charge input connector 12 of the handy terminal 10 and the charge output connector 14 of the adapter 40 are connected, and the handy terminal 10 and the optical communication connectors 30, 32 of the adapter 40 are optically coupled. ..

FIG. 2 shows the back surface of the handy terminal 10, and the connector 30 is the handy terminal 10.
Ni-, which is provided on the back of the
The Cd battery pack 42 is removed from the terminal body by sliding the Cd battery pack 42 to the left in the figure.

The Ni-Cd battery pack 42 is provided with the charging input connector 12, and when the handy terminal 10 is set on the adapter 40 as shown in FIG.
A charging current (operating current) is supplied from the charging output connector 14 of the adapter 40 to the charging input connector 12.

The other adapter 40 has a built-in charging power source section 16 for supplying a charging current to the Ni-Cd battery pack 42 of the handy terminal 10. The charging power source section 16 obtains the charging current from the input of the commercial AC power source. Has been.

In FIG. 4, the Ni-Cd battery pack 42 can be rapidly charged by an attached or optional charger 41, and a lithium battery 43 is used as a sub power source of the handy terminal 10.

Also in FIG. 2, the handy terminal 1
The operation unit 44 of 0 is provided with a plurality of numeric keys and function keys, the display unit 46 uses a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and a touch panel is attached on the front surface thereof.

Furthermore, the RS23 of the spare interface
The 2C interface 45 is prepared as shown in FIG. 4, and the built-in memory can be expanded to have a large capacity by mounting the memory card 47.

The touch scanner 26 shown in FIG.
Also, in FIG. 3, it is connected from the lower side of the handy terminal 10 and used for reading the bar code during inventory management.

The touch scanner 26 can be used in common with the adapter 40, and in this case, it is connected to the interface changeover switch 34 built in the adapter through the scanner connector 28 of the adapter 40.

The adapter 40 has a built-in magnetic card reader 19 for reading data from the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card 18 (credit card or the like), and RS- which connects either the slip output printer 20 or the host computer 22. A 232C connector 24 is provided.

Those magnetic card readers 19, RS-2
The 32C connector 24 is also an interface switch 34
Connected to the magnetic card reader 19, RS-23
Either the 2C connector 24 or the scanner connector 28 is connected to the optical communication connector 32 via the interface changeover switch 34.

A main control unit 36 is connected to the optical communication connector 32, and the main control unit 36 causes the interface switching unit 34 to operate as described above according to the setting command received from the handy terminal 10 via the optical communication connector 32. It is controlled (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 shows the internal wiring of the adapter 40, and the signals of the signal lines ER, DR, RS, CS, SD and RD are used to control the interface switching section 34.

In FIG. 7A, these signals ER, DR, R
Functions of S, CS, SD, and DR are described, and in FIG. 8, switching control of the interface switching unit 34 performed using them is described.

In FIG. 8, when the signal ER is transmitted from the handy terminal 10 to the adapter 40 and the signal CS is transmitted from the adapter 40 to the handy terminal 10,
A setting command is transmitted from the handy terminal 10 to the adapter 10.

Further, when the response of the command normal reception and the signal CS are transmitted from the adapter 40 to the handy terminal 10, the interface control is performed by the main control unit 36, and the completion of the connection is notified by turning on the signal DR. It

Then, until the signal ER is turned off, the handy terminal 10 and the magnetic card reader 19, RS-23.
The 2C connector 24 or the scanner connector 28 is connected via the interface changeover switch, and the connection is cut off by turning off the signal DR.

FIG. 9 shows the format of the interface switching command, and FIG. 10 shows the format of the response to the switching command. The interface switching commands L (card reader connection request) and T are shown.
(Touch scanner connection request), R (RS232C connection request), S (RS232C connection request other than the TTY procedure) are expressed by 1 byte, and in response thereto, a normal reception response OK or a reception error response INV is transmitted. .. FIG. 7B shows the communication conditions of this embodiment.

The magnetic card reader 19 can read the magnetic cards 18 of the two types of formats shown in FIG. 11, and when the handy terminal 10 transmits the command I in the TTY procedure and the magnetic card reader 19 becomes a connection partner. The communication of the procedure shown in FIG. 12 is started by the magnetic card reader 19.

The communication ends normally by transmitting all the read characters and receiving the signal ACK (steps 1200, 1202, 1204, 120).
6) If the signal RS is not turned on for the period T1 = 200 msec, transmission is impossible, the held data is discarded, and the processing ends abnormally (steps 1208, 1210, 1212, 121).
4) Also, when the response cannot be received for the period T2, the held data is discarded and the process ends abnormally (step 121).
6,1204,1218,1220), as well as the response NA
If K is received seven times in a row, the process ends abnormally (step 1222).

In FIG. 13, the bar code reader 26
Communication procedure is started by the handy terminal 10 sending out the command T in the TTY procedure, and thereafter, the same processing as in the case of the magnetic card reader 19 is performed.

Further, when the handy terminal 10 transmits the command R in the TTY procedure and the printer 20 is connected thereto, print data is transmitted from the handy terminal 10 to the printer 20 in the TTY procedure, and the voucher is printed by the printer. Twenty.

When the host computer 22 is connected to the connector 24 in place of the printer 20, the handy terminal 10 sends the command S in the TTY procedure, and if the connection with the connector 24 is confirmed by a response OK, the ER The signal is turned off and another procedure (the handy terminal 10 supports the FTS procedure, the BSC procedure, and the JCA procedure) is selected, and the procedure starts communication with the host computer 22.

However, when the command S is sent from the handy terminal 10, the FTS procedure, BS
Considering that the ER signal is temporarily turned off in the C procedure and the JCA procedure, the signal ER is turned off by the adapter 4
When it is 0, it is ignored only once, and the connection state at this time is retained as it is.

The magnetic card reader 19 and the printer 2
0, the host computer 22, the touch scanner 26, and the communication with the handy terminal 10 are completed, the signal ER
Is turned off, the interface changeover switch 36 is returned to the neutral state as in the other cases.

The adapter 40 is provided with a dip switch 38 as shown in FIG. 1, and each bit of the dip switch 38 is read by the main controller 36.

In this embodiment, a 7-bit DIP switch 38 is used as shown in FIG. 14, and the leading 2 bits can select the card reading mode of the ID card reader 19 from four types.

Further, the next two bits determine which one is fixedly designated as the partner of the switching connection, or whether such designation is not performed.

For example, when both the 3rd bit and the 4th bit of the DIP switch 38 are turned off, the magnetic card reader 19, the printer 20 or the host computer 22 and the touch scanner are in response to the command transmitted from the handy terminal 10. 26 is switched and connected as a communication partner as described above.

When the third bit of the DIP switch 38 is ON and the fourth bit is OFF, the connection partner is fixed to the touch scanner 26 regardless of the transmission command of the handy terminal 10. In this way, it is possible to forcibly specify the connection partner of the handy terminal 10 according to the purpose of use.

FIG. 15 illustrates the operating mode of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15A, a host computer 22 is installed in the office, and an adapter 40 is installed in this host computer 22. Connected.

As described above, the magnetic card reader 19 is built in the adapter 40 so that the magnetic card 18 can be read, and commercial AC power is supplied from the outside.

The handy terminal 10 is set in the adapter 40, and the handy terminal 10 and the host computer 2 can be operated by operating the handy terminal 10.
2 are connected via the adapter 40.

Further, by communicating between the handy terminal 10 and the host computer 22, a program and data for inventory management or sales floor transaction are downloaded from the host computer 22 to the handy terminal 10.

At this time, the person in charge downloads his / her data (ID number, etc.) from the magnetic card reader 19 to the handy terminal 10 using the magnetic card 18, and the program and data necessary for inventory management are handed to the handy terminal 10. When downloaded, only the touch scanner 26 is connected to the handy terminal 10 and carried to the warehouse as shown in FIG.

In the warehouse, the bar code attached to the product is read by the touch scanner 26, and the handy terminal 10 is read.
The operation of inputting the number of products in stock is performed by the key operation (touch operation of the touch panel) of the operation unit 44 provided in the.

When the work is completed, the user returns to the office, sets the handy terminal 10 in the adapter 40, connects to the host computer 22, and then uploads the data accumulated in the handy terminal 10 to the host computer (before this uploading). Each person uses the magnetic card 18 to select his or her own data).

When the program and data for the sales floor transaction are downloaded, only the handy terminal 10 is carried and the adapter 4 prepared in the sales floor is carried.
It is set to 0.

A printer 20 for output of slips and a touch scanner 26 are connected in advance to the adapter 40 in this section as shown in FIG. 7C (the magnetic card reader 19 is incorporated), and a commercial AC power source is used. Is being supplied.

When the transaction of the commodity is started, the barcode of the commodity is read by using the touch scanner 26, and when the credit payment method is selected, the data of the card (18) is the magnetic card with the built-in adapter. The sales slip is read by using the reader 19 and a sales slip is issued by using the printer 20 by single-cut copying.

When this transaction work is completed, the person in charge carries only the handy terminal 10 and returns to the office,
After the handy terminal 10 is set in the adapter and its data is selected using the magnetic card 18, the data stored in the handy terminal 10 is uploaded to the host computer 22.

As described above, in the work of inventory management, only the touch scanner 26 is connected to the handy terminal 10, the printer 26 is not connected thereto, and the magnetic card reader 19 is not built in, so that it is lightweight and small. The handy terminal 10 can be operated in such a state that the inventory management work can be efficiently performed.

Further, at the time of transaction at the sales floor, the reading of the magnetic card 18, the output of the slip, and the reading of the bar code can all be performed simultaneously for a long time without interruption, so that the transaction work can be smoothly carried out. Becomes

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the work of inventory management, only the bar code reader is connected to the small portable terminal, and all of the terminals prepared from the terminal side to the adapter side are used. Since it is possible to carry out inventory management efficiently by carrying only the terminal and the bar code reader, the bar code reader can also be connected to the adapter in the transaction business, so the business can be done simply by setting the terminal to the adapter. Can be done smoothly.

Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a flexible terminal and its adaptor, which can cope with the work in various operating modes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a connector arrangement of a handy terminal.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation surface of a handy terminal and a terminal set surface of an adapter.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a handy terminal.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of internal connection of the adapter.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of connection inside the adapter.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of functions of interface switching signals and interface communication conditions.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of interface switching control.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a format of an interface switching command.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a format of a response to an interface switching command.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a format of a magnetic card that can be handled in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a communication procedure of the magnetic card reader.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a communication procedure of the touch scanner.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of setting contents of a DIP switch.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation form of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 small portable terminal 12 charging input connector 14 charging output connector 16 charging power supply unit 18 magnetic card (data recording medium) 19 magnetic card reader (data recording medium access unit) 20 slip output printer 22 host computer 24 RS1232C connector (communication connector) 26 Bar Code Reader 28 Scanner Connector 30 Optical Communication Connector 32 Optical Communication Connector 34 Interface Changeover Switch (Switching Section) 36 Main Control Section (Switching Control Section) 38 DIP Switch (Connection Partner Setting Section)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Koji Suto 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor, Akihiko Iura 1015, Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fujitsu Limited

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A charging output connector (14) to which a charging input connector (12) of a small portable terminal (10) is connected, and a charging output connector (1) for charging current obtained from an AC power supply.
4) to the charging input connector (1) of the small portable terminal (10)
2) charging power source (16), a data recording medium access unit (19) for accessing the data recording medium (18), a slip output printer (20), and a host computer (2)
A communication connector (24) to which any one of 2) is connected, and a bar code reader (2) common to the small mobile terminal (10).
6) is connected to the scanner connector (28) and the optical communication connector (3) provided on the small portable terminal (10).
0), an optical communication connector (32), a data recording medium access section (18) and a communication connector (2).
4) and the scanner connector (28) are connected to the optical communication connector (32) by a switching unit (34), and the switching unit (34) is controlled according to a command received via the optical communication connector (32). A switching controller (36), and an adapter for a small mobile terminal, comprising: 2. A charging output connector (14) to which a charging input connector (12) of a small portable terminal (10) is connected, and a charging output connector (1) for charging current obtained from an AC power supply.
4) to the charging input connector (1) of the small portable terminal (10)
2) charging power source (16), a data recording medium access unit (19) for accessing the data recording medium (18), a slip output printer (20), and a host computer (2)
A communication connector (24) to which any one of 2) is connected, and a bar code reader (2) common to the small mobile terminal (10).
6) is connected to the scanner connector (28) and the optical communication connector (3) provided on the small portable terminal (10).
0), an optical communication connector (32), a data recording medium access section (18) and a communication connector (2).
A switching unit (34) for switching and connecting one of the scanner connector (4) and the scanner connector (28) to the optical communication connector (32) and a setting operation for designating a partner to be switched and connected to the small portable terminal (10) are performed. The connection partner setting unit (38) controls the switching unit (34) according to a command received from the optical communication connector (32) when the connection partner is not specified by the connection partner setting unit (38), and the connection partner specifies A switching control unit (36) for forcibly connecting the designated data recording medium access unit (18), communication connector (24) or scanner connector (28) and optical communication connector (30) to the switching unit (34) when being operated. An adapter for a small mobile terminal, comprising: